Kiddosphere: Many Nations, Many Cultures: Books for National Native American Heritage Month

Kiddosphere: Many Nations, Many Cultures: Books for National Native American Heritage Month

Posted by jennifers on 06 November 2017

For National Native American Heritage Month, I wanted to highlight outstanding books by Native American authors. If you’re looking for authentic representation instead of romanticized and/or stereotypical portrayals of Native Americans, these books should definitely be on your radar.

When someone mentions the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, I try to tell them about the formidable The Birchbark House series by Louise Erdrich. Featuring a young Ojibwa girl named Omakayas, this is a moving and memorable coming-of-age saga.

Buffalo Bird Girl is a gorgeously told and illustrated story of Buffalo Bird Woman, a member of the Hidatsa tribe during a period of transformation (from hunting to agriculture) for the community.

If you don’t know that Longfellow’s Hiawatha poem is full of errors, then you should read Hiawatha and the Peacemaker. This lengthy and powerful story of peace is a much needed tonic for troubled times, unforgettably illustrated by David Shannon. An author’s note gives further details on the story and on the Iroquois nation, including its impact on the Constitution.

I love Jingle Dancer for many reasons; it’s a heartfelt story about a young girl preparing for a very important life event, it’s joyfully illustrated, and it’s a contemporary story about a Native American child, of which we definitely need more!

America’s first prominent prima ballerina grew up on an Osage reservation in Oklahoma and was one of George Balachine’s stars. Tallchief: America’s Prima Ballerina is a simply told and vibrantly illustrated picture book biography that lends itself perfectly for a read aloud.

Finally, let’s end with one of my favorite YA historical fiction reads. When I’m asked for YA historical fiction recommendations, I often suggest “If I Ever Get Out of Here.” Set in 1975 (with copious attention paid to popular music at the time), this story of friendship between a young Tuscarora teen and a teen living on the nearby Air Force Base is a heartrending and gripping read. I cannot wait for Eric Gansworth’s next novel, out in 2018 (a contemporary tale, with music also playing a big part in the story).

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